A New York medical power of attorney or health care proxy is a document that lets you assign a trusted person as your health care agent. Your agent is responsible for making medical decisions if your doctor decides you’re too sick to communicate responsibly.
Laws
- Statute: PBH § 2980-2994.
- Definition: Article 29-C § 2980(8): “Health care proxy” means a document delegating the authority to make health care decisions.
- Signing Requirements: Two witnesses (PBH § 2981(2)).
- Neither witness can be the elected agent.
- Revocation: A mentally competent person can cancel it if they tell their agent or inform a health care provider verbally or in writing. They can also express their intent to cancel it. Furthermore, a new health care proxy revokes the old one (PBH § 2985).
Sample
